The Smoking Jacket Chronicles Episode 4 Footprints

Blessing My Neighbor

I am a firm believer that God blesses us so that we will eventually be a blessing to others. Earlier this year, someone showed compassion to me when my vehicle died and gave me a bike so that I could still get around my city. Recently, I was able to do the same for another person. 
However this person's story had a dramatic effect on me. 
She was a pregnant woman of 3 months that needed the bike because she wanted to be able to take care her 2 year old little girl on bike rides around the city. What really got to me is when she told me that she had just gotten out of an abusive relationship of 5 years.
The bike was more so a symbol for her freedom to move as she pleased with her child.
This story hit home to me because I am a child of someone that was a victim of domestic violence. I celebrated with her as she embraced her new found freedom.
The moral of the story is this: It doesn't matter how long it takes you to get out of a bad situation, All that matters is that you had the courage to do what to had to do to get out and live. Not everyone is so fortunate to do so. Always remember that your life and the life of your children matter. Get out before it is too late.

Know Your Inventory

  Recently, I was in the market for a vehicle. I saw the vehicle online. I told the salesman on the prior evening that I had intentions on coming to purchase it. The next day, I contacted him to confirm that it was still there. He stated that it was. Therefore, I told him that I was on my way to get it. He then told me that he would not be there and that another salesman would take care of me. When I arrived at the dealership, I was told by a salesman that the desired vehicle had been sold on the previous evening.
I then immediately contacted the salesman that I originally spoke with. He apologized to me because he did not work the previous night and that he gave me the information on a assumption that it was still there.
I forgave him, because I knew all too well about how vehicles become sold from under salesmen, because it once happened to me. However, I told him to make sure that before he makes a promise to someone about a vehicle to make sure that he places his hands on it to make sure that it is present. Even if it is not present to please be sure to make the customer aware of it. Nothing is worse than a customer having to drive miles away from their homeland only to try to be talked into buying something that they did not want to purchase. Honesty goes along. No amount of money is ever worth your reputation as a salesman or a dealership. Today's salesmen need to grasp this concept so that issues like this don't happen again !

I'm Getting Too Old For This

 Recently, I went out to an unfamiliar place during the early morning hours to watch my favorite band perform. It was there that I ran into my 20 something cousin. He comes up to me and says, " What are you doing here? Your old butt should be at home in the bed. Go home! " I replied," You are right ! I should not be here. I am too old to be shutting the club down. That is your job!" So after I heard my favorite band play a few sets, I respectfully left the scene to go home to crawl into bed.

Revenge Is Not Always Necessary

Many years ago, I grew up as a child whose parents had limited means of survival. Growing up in meager accommodations can be hard for anyone to endure. It is even worse when you are teased by the neighborhood children for not having as much. Recently, I ran into one of those rude characters from my past. In fact, I was with some of my friends when this person came to me for help. I could have easily taken this time to act a fool on them because of the way that they used to treat me years ago. Instead, I took the high road and I helped them fix their problem.
The moral of this story is this: When you have a chance to get even with someone and then you don't do so, it is at that point that you have truly mastered the true art of forgiveness. Always remember that forgiveness is not for the other person. It is to allow you the chance to move forward emotionally with your life. Thank God for maturity.

No Parking

A few years ago, an old friend of mine and I decided to take a road trip to go to a mutual friend's house party. I was not feeling the party and I was ready to go. It was at this house party that my friend met this pillow princess by the name of Crystal. Crystal and her crew decided that they wanted to go to Club Hollywood for a little more excitement. My friend was still trying to get her number so as his wing man, I felt obligated to help him see this thing through. 
When we got to the club, we saw that there were no places to park except next to a fence which had a sign that clearly read "No Parking Anytime !" 
I pleaded to him that we should not park there. However there were 3 other vehicles that were already parked there. He replied, " There are already 3 cars here. They want get all of us right?" I agreed and then we on in the building.  That club was jam packed however, it was not fun at all.
At about 4 in the morning, I returned to the place where I had parked to notice that not only was my vehicle missing, but so were the other three as well. 
As it turns out, there was a tow truck that was driving by each hour and towing vehicles that were parked near the fence. Apparently, that was easy money for him. Even though my friend ended up hooking up with Crystal, I lost my vehicle for the evening. Even though I helped him to accomplish his mission, he never even offered to help me pay half of the towing bill for my efforts.
I never hung out with him again afterwards.
The moral of this story is this: If you ever are in a jam and you really need a place to park, don't be defiant and park in a place that reads No Parking. It could cost you an unnecessary parking ticket or towing bill. 

My Reason for Creating a Youtube Channel